World of Spectrum

Vega+ Forums

Refunds

This page serves as a very short summary for financial institutions by people wanting refunds or section 75 chargebacks for their Vega+ units. Retro Computers Ltd are the company responsible for the ZX Vega+ campaign, and have posted publicly that they "have never refused to refund a backer". For a much more detailed version of this article, please read the daily blog.

Retro Computers Ltd involves 4 key individuals: David Levy, Suzanne Martin, Janko Mrsic-Flogel and spokesman Lee Fogarty. RCL have featured in many newspaper articles by the BBC and The Register. The campaign began in February 2016 when a working prototype from the January CES show was already available. Backers were basically paying RCL to setup a production line to mass-produce the console that was promised to feature 1000 games.

Monday 15th February, 2016

The Vega+ Indiegogo campaign opens, hoping to raise £100,000 to turn the fully working prototype into production models.

Sunday 27th March, 2016

The Vega+ Indiegogo campaign closes, having raised £366,655 (367% of the product's goal).

August, 2016

RCL re-assure everyone that shipping is still on track when they post "We are due to ship mid to late September. Next week we will be at Games Con and will have something to show then."

Friday 30th September, 2016

First shipping date missed.

Saturday 15th October, 2016

The campaign receives "Arrow certification", saying they have received a design review to ensure the campaign is ready for production.

Monday 31st October, 2016

Second shipping date missed.

Friday 25th November, 2016

RCL release a statement on the Indiegogo updates page saying they have identified an improvement that would make the feel of the product far better, including a correction in the design of one of the buttons. RCL have completed the necessary revisions, produced the first batch of custom made modified buttons and will be spending the next few days manufacturing units, and will announce the delivery schedule.

Monday 28th November, 2016

In an article in The Inquirer, RCL can no longer promise Xmas delivery, but confirm that backers' money has been ringfenced. Suzanne also confirms that RCL have been deleting comments on the Indiegogo campaign, and that they will not be giving any delivery dates unless they are 110% certain.

Thursday 8th December, 2016

RCL force-refund backer Peeto against his will. Peeto had been asking questions about the campaign, and to prevent him from making further comments, RCL marked his contribution as refunded.

Friday 23rd December, 2016

Friday 10th February, 2017

A blog post on the RCL website titled "First Vega + units will ship after the 20th February 2017" is posted.

Friday 24th February, 2017

Indiegogo close down the Vega+ campaign due to missed delivery deadlines and a lack of communication to backers.

Sunday 26th February, 2017

RCL fundamentally alter the specifications of the device backers had invested in. RCL announce that the Vega+ will now be using FUSE - the Free Unix Spectrum Emulator - instead of the hardware implementation originally promised.

Thursday 9th March, 2017

Friday 10th March 2017

Nigel Malin on the Indiegogo comments page asks "When backers ask for a refund, why don't you give them one" and asking if they will delete his question. Suzanne Martin/RCL replies "We aren't deleting any comments - but we are aware of a number of bugs. Some people can't post. We have never refused to refund a backer."

In update #44, David Levy/RCL says "we expect to make the first shipment of Vega+ units a few weeks from now."

Thursday 16th March, 2017

The "Arrow certification" that has been present since the 15th of October is revoked.